Saturday, January 8, 2011

AZ Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot

In a breaking story, CNN and NPR have confirmed that AZ Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot and killed during a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway in Tucson.

Five others have died from wounds sustained in the attack. At least six others were injured.

The shooter is in custody.

This story will continue to be updated as more facts come to light.

UPDATE: NPR and CNN reported that she had been killed, but Darci Slater, a hospital spokeswoman, said that Ms. Giffords was in surgery. She is reported to be in stable condition and responsive.

According to the Washington Post, "This was not the first time someone brought a gun to a Giffords event. A protester in August brought a gun to Giffords' Congress on Your Corner event in Douglas. Police were alerted after he dropped the firearm. "When you represent a district that includes the home of the O.K. Corral and Tombstone, 'the Town Too Tough to Die,' nothing's a surprise out in Cochise County," Giffords, D-Ariz., said.

NBC News in confirming that U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll was among those who was shot and had died. He was the chief judge in Arizona, appointed in 1991 by the first President Bush. He became chief judge in 2006.

This is a video interview with the Congresswoman concerning a break-in at her campaign headquarters during last year's elections in which she discussed Sarah Palin's website map showing cross-hairs over Giffords' district: